I understand the frustration with wanting to lose the last few pounds (whether you stopped early or a few pounds crept back on...) and not knowing what to do. Either what worked in the past isn't or you can't bear another day of hunger (that's where I'm at, I know if I went back strictly OP for 2 weeks I'd be below my goal-but I can't handle the hunger right now...I want to, but I'm not mentally ready to just put my head down and go for it). I've been an at home client and my contract is up and for now I'm not renewing, and so far I'm doing great with weighing in on my own. I really had been weaning off using the center as accountability the past few weeks knowing the time was up (although someone from the center said I could still call in/order for a year). Here's the funny thing, I has been at the upper end of my "happy" (155) but wanting to get to the lower end (151/152) before the holidays and try and stay there. I think vigilance is key to allowing those pounds not to come back.
But the past few days we've been moving and I've been eating stuff I don't normally eat...like a corn dog. But I've been trying to make sure I track the calories and stay at the low end of my range (around 1400 or below I lose, around 1700 I maintain). I so did not want to step on the scale today thinking it would be up, but I knew I had to face it to keep me accountable or there would easily be 10 more pounds come January...and guess what? I was down to 152. Happy dance. The calorie counting is working for me (not to mention painting and cleaning carpets). Now I'm not going to start eating corn dogs regularly, when we're finally moved it will be back to more veggies. I'm going to try to stay at the lower end of my calories except for Thanksgiving DAY, Christmas DAY...not the full month in between
I basically use the preconditioning menu idea (a protein, 1 starch, and fruits and veggies at each meal) and adjust serving sizes.